The Trauma Therapist | Podcast with Guy Macpherson, PhD | Inspiring interviews with thought-leaders in the field of trauma.

Inspiring interviews with thought-leaders and game-changers in the fields of trauma, mindfulness, addiction and yoga. Join Guy Macpherson, PhD at traumatherapistproject.com as we hear about the journeys of passionate mental health workers who dedicate their lives to helping others heal and thrive.

Ruth Lanius, MD, PhD, is Professor of Psychiatry and the director of the posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) research unit at the University of Western Ontario.

She established the Traumatic Stress Service and the Traumatic Stress Service Workplace Program, both services that specialize in the treatment and research of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and related comorbid disorders.

Her research interests focus on studying the neurobiology of PTSD and treatment outcome research examining various pharmacological and psychotherapeutic methods.

She has authored more than 100 published papers and chapters in the field of traumatic stress and is currently funded by several federal funding agencies. She regularly lectures on the topic of PTSD nationally and internationally. She has recently published a book Healing the traumatized self: consciousness, neuroscience, treatment with Paul Frewen.

For the last six years I have dedicated myself to the study of trauma psychology, trauma therapy, post-traumatic growth, and most recently, the intersection of trauma and psychosis, specifically the signs of early psychosis.

Donna’s other works include The Autoimmune Epidemic (Touchstone, Simon & Schuster, 2008, 2009), which investigates the causes of a growing environmental health crisis, and The Last Best Cure (Hudson Street Press / Penguin, 2013), which chronicles a year-long journey to test a variety of mind-body therapies in order to unlock the restorative powers of the brain. She is also the author of A groundbreaking book showing the link between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and adult illnesses such as heart disease, autoimmune disease, and cancer—Childhood Disrupted also explains how to cope with these emotional traumas and even heal from them. (Perseus, 2003).

She has over 25 years of clinical experience, including training at Johns Hopkins Hospital, George Washington University Hospital, and at Sheppard Pratt Health System’s Trauma Disorders program. She is a Professor of Psychology at Towson University.

Dr. Brand has been honored with numerous research, teaching and clinical awards and served on several national task forces that developed guidelines for the assessment and treatment of trauma-related disorders.

Dr. Brand is the Principal Investigator on an international treatment study of DDs (the TOP DD studies). Dr. Brand is the Principal Investigator on a series of studies that are developing methods for distinguishing DDs from other conditions including malingered DDs. She has delivered clinical and research presentations around the world. In addition to assessing and treating patients, Dr. Brand serves as a forensic expert.

Anna Berardi, PhD., Lic Marriage & Family Therapist, Lic Prof Counselor Director of the Trauma Response Institute and Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy at George Fox University - Portland, Oregon.

The approach of the institute is to prepare a variety of professionals to understand human struggle and response through a trauma-informed approach, whether working with k-12 students, individuals, couples, or families overwhelmed with a sudden trauma, or coping with the long-term consequences of trauma.

Another unique feature of their trauma-informed approach is recognizing the role issues of privilege and marginalization play in creating and exacerbating one's exposure to traumatic events. I view all forms of trauma work as an element of social justice work, just as social justice principles inform our assessment of trauma's cause and impact.

Sara Jacobovici (pronounced Yakobovich) is a Creative Arts Psychotherapist. Sara has been working in the health and mental health field for 30 years, specializing in using the creative arts in Trauma work. She received her Bachelor's of Music from McGill University in Montreal and her Master's in Creative Arts Therapy from Hahnemann University in Philadelphia. Sara was born in Israel to Romanian parents, grew up in Canada, studied and worked in the United States and is now living and working In Israel.

Courtney Armstrong is the author of The Therapeutic “Aha!”(2015) and Transforming Traumatic Grief (2011)In her 20 years of practice as a licensed professional counselor and grief and trauma specialist, she has helped thousands of clients recover from trauma and experience deep personal transformation.

Courtney also offers training to mental health professionals, showing them how to use creativity, care, and humor to elicit transformation for their clients and make trauma recovery less painful. She is a regular contributor to magazines like the Psychotherapy Networker and The Neuropsychotherapist and has appeared on CBS Radio News, NPR affiliates, and networks in Europe, Asia and Australia.

Over the past decade, Molly Boeder Harris has worked in community-based rape crisis centers as a medical and legal advocate, provided crisis support and prevention education for students on college campuses and has directed a campus Women’s Center.

During that time, she also became a certified yoga instructor and has since been teaching yoga at rape crisis centers, yoga studios, counseling clinics and social service agencies.

Molly holds a Master’s Degree in International Studies and a Master’s Certificate in Women’s and Gender Studies. Most recently, Molly began training in Somatic Experiencing, the trauma-resolution method developed by Dr. Peter Levine, with the intention of synthesizing her work as a yoga instructor teaching trauma survivors with this revolutionary technique.

Monica O'Connell MA LMFT LADC is located in Minneapolis and provides national training on the intersections of trauma, addiction and mental health. She works with the nations' only LGBTQ exclusive dual diagnosis treatment center where she offers supervision and trauma therapy.

She has a thriving private practice supporting clients and providing consultation and supervision. Her dog Louie is a certified therapy dog and visits the treatment center frequently.